Sundown, TX to Rhode Island, TX is 455.2 miles and takes about 7h 56m via US 84 and US 287, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward travel experience. Given its duration and highway focus, it's a practical choice for a single-day trip, especially if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. The main roads are predominantly highways, meaning you'll spend most of your time cruising at higher speeds.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
227.6 miles from Sundown, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 84
183 mi
3h 5m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
US 287
50.7 mi
56m
I 45
40.9 mi
40m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
22.6 mi
24m
FM 1585
16.2 mi
16m
West FM 1585
10 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Sundown, TX and Rhode Island, TX.
1
Start on FM 301
22 ft·2 sec·East Richardson Street
2
Turn right onto FM 303
0.9 mi·1 min·South Slaughter Avenue
3
Continue on FM 303
2.4 mi·2 min·North FM 303
4
Turn right onto FM 1585
10.0 mi·10 min·West FM 1585
5
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 1585; FM 3261
16 mi·16 min·FM 1585; FM 3261
6
Turn left onto US 62; US 82
5.8 mi·6 min·US 62; US 82
7
Take the exit onto Spur 327
2.1 mi·3 min·Spur 327
Toward Spur 327
8
Merge onto Loop 289
5.9 mi·6 min·Loop 289
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward US 84: Slaton, Post
10
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.3 mi·34 sec·Southeast Loop 289
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
12
Merge onto US 84
2.9 mi·3 min·Slaton Road
13
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
14
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
15
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
16
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
17
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
18
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
19
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
20
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
21
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
183 mi·3 hr 5 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: AbileneUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20
23 mi·24 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, ShreveportUse the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
51 mi·56 min·US 287
Exit 444Toward US 287 South: Little Road, WaxahachieUse the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 45 South: Corsicana
25
Merge onto I 45; US 287
41 mi·40 min·I 45; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 206Toward FM 833Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft·10 sec·North Interstate 45
28
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi·3 min·FM 833
29
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft·1 sec·North State Highway 75
30
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi·1 min·East FM 833
31
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft·0 sec·County Road 161
32
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 56-minute drive, leaving Sundown, TX in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, you can easily manage them without significant delays. Plan to refuel before departing or early in the journey, as the fuel cost is estimated at $66. The longest stretch on US 84 is substantial, so ensure you're comfortable with that duration of highway driving. Given it's a single-day trip, flexibility is key; you can adjust your stop times as needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 227.6 miles from Sundown, TX, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 100 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.6 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Sundown, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Sundown, TX
This is one driving day of about 455.2 miles and 7h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Sundown, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 84 for about 183 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.3 and 452.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
43.3 mi into trip|~47m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Slaton, Post
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 84: Slaton, Post
8
154.9 mi into trip|~2h 42m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
337.9 mi into trip|~5h 47m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
9
360.5 mi into trip|~6h 12m in|US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 444
Toward US 287 South: Little Road, Waxahachie
7
452.7 mi into trip|~7h 51m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.35 one way
$124.70 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg159 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$69.64
$139.28
premium
$4.23
$75.72
$151.43
diesel
$4.80
$85.95
$171.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
136.6
1
$47.80
$21.85
Efficient EV
113.8
1
$39.83
$18.21
EV Truck/SUV
182.1
2
$63.73
$29.13
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Sundown, TX
Late night
in Sundown on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 to 15 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Late night
in Rhode Island on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 0 to 5 mph47% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 56m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 91% of your time on highways, covering 414 miles on the freeway. The longest continuous stretch without needing to navigate off the main roads is 183 miles, primarily on US 84. You'll encounter sections with many exits and entrances as you pass through populated areas, contrasting with more open rural cruising. The remaining 9% of the drive, around 41 miles, will be on surface roads.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.3 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 455.2 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 43.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,538 ft348 ft
Total Climb
382 ft
Total Descent
3,527 ft
Highest Point
3,538 ft
Elevation Range
3,191 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Sundown, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Spur 327, Post, Shreveport and Waxahachie.
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 56m. Total distance: 455.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Rhode Island, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 43.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 154.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 337.9 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rhode Island, TX before the return drive.
